Abueva on dustup with Standhardinger: I was just introducing myself

Calvin Abueva introduced himself to Gilas Pilipinas’ new recruit Christian Standhardinger on Saturday when Alaska played Gilas Pilipinas in a tune-up but there was no handshake nor a pleasant greeting.

There was, however, a lot of hitting, shoving and trash talking.

Calvin Abueva. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

“I just wanted to introduce myself to him,” said Abueva in Filipino with a huge grin.

Abueva and Standhardinger got into it during an inbound play late where the Fil-German big man kept sticking his arm on the waist of the Aces forward, who responded by repeatedly swatting his arm away.

The referees stood in between the two, who went on to jaw at each other. The verbal war continued until the final buzzer where Abueva extended an elbow out as he walked by Standhardinger, who couldn’t help but laugh.

The wily Abueva said he was just preparing Standhardinger for instances like this where an opposing player would try to get under his skin.